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Trump Orlando rally: Supporters, protesters gather at Amway Center

As thunderstorms rolled through downtown Orlando breaking the sweltering heat with torrential downpours, an enthusiastic crowd, that filled but did not exceed the 20,000-seat Amway Center, greeted President Donald Trump as he kicked off his 2020 re-election bid Tuesday.

“Doesn’t it remind you of a big party?” asked Judy Pelon, a 73-year-old from Leesburg, who was attending her third rally with a group of friends. Speaking to a reporter in the disabilities access area five hours before the president was slated to speak, Pelon said there would usually be more people there by that time. She’d been in line on her mobility scooter since 11 a.m. Some supporters had camped out since early Monday.

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Thunder and lightning are now outside the Amway Center in Orlando on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. The holding area is at capacity, and the gates are closed. People are being advised to take shelter, but no one’s leaving now.(Photo: Craig Bailey, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida)

“I think people were scared off by the weather and thinking that 100,000 people would show up,” she said.

At one point a warning, asking rally goers to take cover due to inclement weather, appeared on the jumbo TV screens set up outside the arena. Noting the lack of shelter nearby Pelon asked “Where?”

By the time the third speaker, Trump’s son Donald Jr., came on, the area outside the Amway center was populated by latecomers, a hodgepodge of petitioners, straggling counter-protesters, a Trump impersonator and a few vendors trying to make a buck. By sunset, MAGA hats were marked down from $20 to $5.

A supporter of President Donald Trump wears a wall suit Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during tonight's rally. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

Vice President Mike Pence and his wife Karen wave to the crowd after their interview with News 6 Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during tonight's rally. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

Vice President Mike Pence waves to the crowd after doing an interview with News 6 Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during tonight's rally Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

Here's a first look inside Amway Arena in Orlando Tuesday morning. President Trump will be speak June 18, 2019 and address a crowd of about 20,000, as he formally announces the start of his 2020 re-election campaign. Dave Berman, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Those that did attend, some from as far as Tennessee and Colorado, lacked nothing in enthusiasm. “It’s like a tailgate at a football game” said 29-year-old Pete Kovanda. A “seasoned fan” Kovanda was attending his sixth Trump rally and brought along first-timer Michael Mason, 28. “I hope to catch up to him,” Mason quipped.

Arriving with a bus of at least fifty supporters – mostly of retirement age or older – at around 1 p.m., Brevard County GOP chairman Rick Lacey, attending his third rally said, “It’s amazing how many people, it’s like a tsunami of people coming to see the president.”

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Randal Tom turns out hours before U.S. President Donald Trump is to appear at a rally to officially announce his 2020 reelection bid at the Amway Center on June 18, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. Tens of thousands of requests for tickets, according to the Trump campaign, prompted the outside event dubbed "45 Fest" by organizers. Joe Raedle, Getty Images

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On the one-hour bus ride over, which a FLORIDA TODAY reporter rode to the rally, Brevard-based supporters of the president intermittently broke into song and spoke excitedly of their reasons for supporting the president. Topping that list: immigration, the economy, a fear of socialism and God.

“What culture are they [illegal immigrants] coming from?” asks Jerry Smith, noting a concern with whether or not immigrants from poorer central and south American countries or war-torn African and middle eastern countries, will “assimilate.”

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Dottie Byrne, 73, from Vero Beach sees religion, namely Franklin Graham (Billy’s son) as a major driver of support for Trump. It's also a factor that led her and five neighbors to become activists was Corey Lewandowski'‘s book “Trump’s enemies."(Photo: Alessandro Sassoon, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida)

Dottie Byrne, 73 of Vero Beach, pointed to evangelist preacher Franklin Graham, son to the renowned Billy Graham, leading a prayer for the president as a major motivation for her support. “Everyone on this bus is a spiritual person,” she said.

When the bus exited the I-4 freeway by the Amway Center and faced closed roads and no designated bus drop-off or parking, the group was forced to walk a half mile to the Amway Center but their spirits were unfazed. “We’ll do it like the Jewish people in the desert”, one exclaimed referencing Exodus, prompting Lacey to announce “I will lead you to the promised land.”

A few blocks away, a few hundred anti-Trump demonstrators gathered at the Stonewall Bar for the "Win With Love" rally. Deport Trump signs, t-shirts, hats, and other paraphernalia displayed messages aimed at the “orange Cheeto man” — as shouted by one protester — that the Democrats don’t want a future with Trump as America’s leader.

“It’s hard to describe in words how tired I am of the amount of damage done to our country,” said 60-year-old Robin Harrison as she navigated through the protest event on her decked out red, white and blue electric scooter.

Stacey Patel, chair of the Brevard County Democratic Party, cheered on and chanted in a bus with some 55 others plus one FLORIDA TODAY reporter.

“On any other day I would typically be trying to register voters. However, today is so important for the community and for Brevard so we can stand unified in saying that enough is enough,” said Patel.

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At least 20,000 people were expected to watch President Trump inside the Amway Center in Orlando June 18, 2019, while thousands more were expected to be outside, viewing the president on giant TV screens for his re-election rally. TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY

Randal Thom waves flags at the front of the line entering the Amway Center in Orlando on June 18, 2019. Huge crowds turned out for President Trump's re-election campaign kickoff. TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY

The line to enter the Amway Center in Orlando June 18, 2019, for President Trump's rally snaked along Central to Division, where it moved into a staging area for supporters to wait until their chance to enter the arena. TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY

Mary Gerace of Tampa set up signs and a chair across from the large field of Trump supporters on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. “I have a voice, and I have the acumen, and I came here to support marginalized communities. I have a good heart, and I don’t want to see people suffering in America. I’m a humanist.” Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

People take shelter from a brief thunderstorm, but few get out of line to seek shelter. Umbrellas and ponchos are everywhere on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Craig Bailey, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

“People that come here are not dedicated to Trump but to his promises. We think he will continue,” Judy Pelon, 73, a lifelong GOP voter said on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Alessandro Sassoon, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

“People that come here are not dedicated to Trump but to his promises. We think he will continue,” Judy Pelon, 73, a lifelong GOP voter said on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Alessandro Sassoon, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Thunder and lightning are now outside the Amway Center in Orlando on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. The holding area is at capacity, and the gates are closed. People are being advised to take shelter, but no one’s leaving now. Craig Bailey, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Bonnie and Matteo Mallo from Sanford are married for 35 years. He’s a lifetime GOP. She was raised liberal but was a longtime non-voter. She says Trump was the first Republican presidential candidate she’s voted for. Both cite immigration and the economy as number one issues. Alessandro Sassoon, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

James, who preferred to only use his first name with no reason given, says his T-shirt is meant to convey that “Trump is not a racist.” he attends the rally in Orlando on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Alessandro Sassoon, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Rick Lacey, chairman of Brevard GOP, leads a group from the bus. “I will take you to the promised land,” he said while walking about a mile to the Amway Center on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Alessandro Sassoon, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Trump supporters who arrived early wait in a holding area with Amway Center in the background on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. A cover band is playing songs like John Mellencamp’s “Hurt So Good” and George Thorogood’s “Bad to the Bone.” Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Cora Mandy of the America First Action Superpac is outside the site of President Trump's rally at Amway Center in Orlando working on registering voters. The organization plans to spend $20 million on voter registration efforts in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Dave Berman, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Scott Kier has voted Republican all his life. He said Trump has “brought respect back” to America, especially with his economic policies. “He stood up and told the world we’re not America’s money purse anymore.” Bailey Gallion, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Waiting for the bus to the rally, Jerry and Connie Smith said immigration is the most important issue to them going into 2020. "What culture are they coming from?" Jerry asks, expressing a desire for immigrants that will “assimilate” into the USA. Alessandro Sassoon, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Diane Dellacorte and Bethanie Semonski of Scottsmoor dance to the music as they wait to be let into the Amway Center for the Trump 2020 presidential kickoff rally June 18, 2019. CRAIG BAILEY/FLORIDA TODAY

Neil Marsh of Merritt Island brought his Shar-Pei/Boxer mix, Beau, in Orlando to President Trump's rally at Amway Arena Tuesday, June 18, 2019. This is their fourth rally together. They also have been to Trump rallies in Melbourne, Arizona and California. Dave Berman, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Francisco Jose Muñoz flew in from Chile to attend today’s rally. The signature on his passport just says “MAGA." He believes the Democratic Party is corrupt and Trump will restore the world order. Bailey Gallion, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Gary Snow from Fort Myers was a Democrat until protests forced Trump to cancel an event he wanted to attend in 2016. He says it “opened his eyes” to hypocrisy and violence in the party. Now he says nothing the Democratic Party does could convince him to rejoin. Bailey Gallion, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Wolf Ward is from Colorado — he came in Monday, June 18, 2019 at 6 p.m. and camped out. He works in construction, and one of the reasons he likes Trump is that Trump reminds him of the job site. “A general contractor, you don’t care if he’s brusque. You care that he gets the job done.” Bailey Gallion, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Moses Rodriguez from Haines City has been out in Orlando since 6 a.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2019. He says he likes “everything” about Trump but especially his economic policy. “He knows money and he knows the economy. He’s exactly what our country needs.” Bailey Gallion, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Robin Marks says he drove a trailer filled with Trump merchandise for 13 hours from his home in Jackson, Tennessee. He said selling Trump memorabilia at rallies is his full-time job. Marks said sales as of 9:45 a.m. were slow but said “it’s early.” Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Robin Marks says he drove a trailer filled with Trump merchandise for 13 hours from his home in Jackson, Tennessee. He said selling Trump memorabilia at rallies is his full-time job. Marks said sales as of 9:45 a.m. were slow but said “it’s early.” Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

National and local TV media are present at the Trump rally in Orlando Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Many parked along South Division Avenue on the west side of Amway Center. Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Trump supporters who arrived early wait Tuesday, June 18, 2019 in a vacant lot while listening to a live cover band on a stage and recorded music, with everything from the Village People’s “Macho Man” to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama.” Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

“Can I get anyone a shirt, a hat or a button?” A vendor who declined to give his name sells buttons at $5 each to a Trump supporter in line for a spot to see President Trump at Amway Center in Orlando on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

A vendor sells buttons at $5 each to Trump supporters in line for a spot to see President Trump at Amway Center in Orlando on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

A vendor sells buttons at $5 each to Trump supporters in line for a spot to see President Trump at Amway Center in Orlando on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

A vendor sells buttons at $5 each to Trump supporters in line for a spot to see President Trump at Amway Center in Orlando on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Here's a first look inside Amway Arena in Orlando Tuesday morning. President Trump will be speak June 18, 2019 and address a crowd of about 20,000, as he formally announces the start of his 2020 re-election campaign. Dave Berman, Florida Today - USA TODAY Network - Florida

“It’s been going pretty good,” vendor Steve Smeif said of sales as he pulled a cart carrying pro-Trump merchandise along Central Boulevard in Orlando on Tuesday, June 18, 2019. “People are nice, so far.” Smeif said he flew in from New York City for the rally. Dave Osborn, Naples Daily News - USA TODAY Network - Florida

Supporters of President Trump chant "We Love Trump" Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during a rally there tonight. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

Supporters of President Trump brave thunderstorms to see him Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during a rally there tonight. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

Supporters of President Trump take shelter from an afternoon shower Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during a rally there tonight. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

Erica and Steve Whitt of Port St. John arrive for today's Trump rally Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during a rally tonight. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

Thousands of supporters of President trump arrive Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during a rally there tonight. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

A supporter of President Trump wears a pair of flags in hi cap Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during a rally tonight. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

The 2020 election year is carved into the hair of a Trump supporter Tuesday at Amway Center in Orlando. President Trump will officially announce his reelection bid during a rally there tonight. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY

Viera native and radio talk show host and nurse Seeta Begui saw Trump as being responsible for the global trend towards populist leaders.

“We are starting to see other governments following in his footsteps and that is not good for humanity,” she said.

At Stonewall a variety of musicians performed on a stage set up outside the bar. Several Latino musicians took aim at Trump’s response to the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico as “horrendous and unforgiving.”

“As a Latino I feel targeted by his administration,” said 23-year-old Gabby Cabrera, Orlando native.

“Our voices need to be heard, and they need to be continuously heard.”

As the music tapered down, a giant Trump diaper baby float appeared at the end of Church street, capturing the attention of all.

“I’ve never protested before, but here I am at 53-years old fighting for not only my own rights as a woman, but also the rights for the other voices in the nation, for freedom of the press and for our president to show some respect and dignity,” said Debbie Jamro, resident in the Orlando area.

Between rally goers and counter-protesters the day’s events proceeded relatively smoothly. Only for a brief moment did a group of Proud Boys and other Trump supporters confront counter-protesters, but tensions ultimately gave way to moments of civility with people shaking hands across their political divides.

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Both pro and anti Trump groups shouted and chanted at each other, and a small group from both sides found common ground.
Florida Today

As people streamed out of the arena afterward, many were gushing about Trump.

“This was my first rally. I voted for Trump in 2016 and I’m gonna vote for him again in 2020. There’s nothing he could do to lose my vote. He could even pull a Clinton and I would still vote for him,” said Maria Hernandez, a Miami resident with a VIP rally badge dangling from a lanyard on her neck.

"The event was so peaceful and not aggressive at all. I was worried at first but it was so great,” said 26-year-old John Miller, native Orlando resident.

“I’m voting for Trump in 2020. If there was a stronger independent party that was the better of two evils I would vote for them, but there’s not.”

Few people at this loud verbal clash of opposites saw winessed this moment. After heated words, community activist Keith Mason, of Hands High, and Gary Snow agreed to talk over their differences and ended up shaking hands. A few blocks from the Amway Center, a "Win With Love" rally was held to protest the Trump administration. A group of Trump supporters known as Proud Boys, who describe themselves as a "Western chauvinist" fraternal group, approached the police barrier, and a shouting match ensued, but without violence from either side. President Trump's official campaign for re-election kickoff was held at the Amway Center in Orlando, June 18th. (Photo: TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY)

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A surpising turn of events amidst a shouting match. Members of Proud Boys and some community activists began to talk, find common ground, and ended up shaking hands. A few blocks from the Amway Center, a "Win With Love" rally was held to protest the Trump administration. A group of Trump supporters known as Proud Boys, who describe themselves as a "Western chauvinist" fraternal group, approached the police barrier, and a shouting match ensued, but without violence from either side. President Trump's official campaign for re-election kickoff was held at the Amway Center in Orlando, June 18th. (Photo: TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY)

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Huge crowds turned out for President Trump's official campaign for re-election kickoff at the Amway Center in Orlando, June 18th. (Photo: TIM SHORTT/ FLORIDA TODAY)